Word to the Wise
Monday, March 11, 2013 - 4th Week of Lent - Mon
[Isa 65:17-21 and John 4:43-54]The man believed what Jesus said to him and left..
The "royal official" in this gospel incident from the Gospel of John has something in common with the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman in the other gospel accounts. He has a faith that is powerful enough to move Jesus to heal from a distance! He shows a parent's desperation in his words, "Sir, come down before my child dies." However, the Gospel of John is ever dramatic on more than one level. When Jesus responds, "You may go; your son will live," he is speaking in much the same way he will speak to Martha before raising Lazarus! "Your brother will rise again." The royal official shows greater faith than Martha because he "believed what Jesus said to him and left." Martha continued to protest about moving the stone from Lazarus' tomb! The development in today's scene takes place after the royal official gets home and realizes that Jesus' word was effective. "He and his whole household came to believe."
The "coming to faith" process is exemplified to us during the season of Lent by those in our parishes who are participating in the RCIA programs that lead to baptism or confirmation. Their "faith journeys" are really inspiring to hear. Indeed, those who sponsor them also experience a deepening of their own faith. It does come down to whether or not we are able to put our whole faith in what Jesus says. The royal official, the centurion, the Canaanite woman and others can say to us, "We told you so!" But we can hear it for ourselves if we just have faith. AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
66 ms
4
